Plan Three: Nurturing a Fear of GodSample

THE GIFT OF AN UNDIVIDED HEART

King David prayed, “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” He asked to be taught and willingly became a student. He began by acknowledging the Lord’s way, God’s truth, an undivided heart, and the fear of the Lord were all wondrous gifts sent from God. The magnetic strength of the Holy Spirit gently nudges us to follow God’s path while still giving us the free will to choose His way and His truth.

Years ago, my son and I took beginning snowboarding lessons on the beautiful slopes of a Colorado resort. The instructor told us we could steer our boards by just looking in the direction we wanted. To my surprise, such a subtle change shifted the weight on the board and sent it in the direction I was looking.

As Christians, we sometimes work and strive too hard when all we must do to change the direction of our lives is to “[look] to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” He not only gives us the faith to believe in Him, but through the power of the Holy Spirit (our holy transmission), He also perfects, changes, and sanctifies us. Like King David, we must ask God to teach us His ways so we can walk in His truth with a pure heart to fear and love God.

When we hear the term idol, we often think of physical objects to be worshipped. However, an idol is anything in our life that is more important than God. Physical idols are easy to spot. On the other hand, “soft idols” are very personal, hidden, easily justified, and often masquerade as being good and wholesome. They are sometimes difficult to discern because they often appear to be so noble.

Spend time in prayer and ask God to show you any areas of your life where He hasn’t been holding first place. While praying, ask, Lord, what divides my heart? What causes me not to be wholly devoted to you? Have I engaged in idolatry by worshiping something or someone other than you, such as my career, prestige, power, or money?

If so, you have a divided heart, but, remember, a course correction is attainable by looking in the direction you want — toward God.